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Games Entertainment

The Best Of GDC 73

Posted by Zonk from the i-liked-the-part-where-i-missed-the-best-parts dept.
Gamasutra's Question of the Week has been asked and answered, and from around the game industry there were brought forth opinions on The Highlights of GDC 2005. Overwhelmingly, people saw the "Burning Down the House" and "Spore" presentations as the most interestng, with a few other folks digging other parts of the conference more. From the article: "I think Nintendo's keynote speech was the most interesting moment for me. Coming a day after Microsoft's keynote, it highlighted the clear divergence between these company's platform strategies moving forward. If you're a gamer at heart (and have the heart of a gamer) root for Nintendo, as they seem to be more interested in gameplay innovation than making an uber-media-micropayment device. (HD-gaming be damned!) - Anonymous" The Puzzle Pirates and Game Atoms talks were probably my most amused moments during the conference. After all, Raph's talk had little monsters and the pirates brought rum.
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The Best Of GDC More

The Best Of GDC

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  • Nintendo's Approach (Score:2, Insightful)

    by FalleStar ( 847778 )
    I've been a Nintendo fanboy all of my life, but lately I've branched out to all consoles, but I agree you do have to like how Nintendo seems soley focused on games. Only problem is that innovation doesn't always sell, ala GBA & GCN Connectivity and Virtual Boy, and Nintendo seems to be designing the "Revolution" based on innovation. It's a pretty risky manuever on Nintendo's part and hopefully it'll pay off.

    • Re:Nintendo's Approach (Score:5, Insightful)

      by FidelCatsro ( 861135 ) <fidelcatsro AT gmail DOT com> on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @04:56AM (#12074407) Journal
      I have been a nintendo fan since the early 80s ( and several other consoles too and computers hell im just a techno fanboi though I do hate that word) and can tell you hoenstly the thing that killed off the Virtual-Boy was the fact that using it for longer than a few minutes caused massive migranes to alot of people , IIRC it was because the lenses were misaligned slighty (perhaps it was the refresh rate or both).
      Inovation has always been a good thing for nintendo , specificaly in the control front , to my mind the N64 controler was one of the best controlers ever devised for 3D games (lacking in 2d though) , and not to mention the SNES or NES pads which were amazing at the time(the snes pad can still hold its own for 2d).
      The problem nintendo has is the fact that alot of people wish to Apear ""COOL"" and nintendo is yet to shake off its For-Children image .
      This is the only thing limiting nintendo , However as a long term fan i would hate to see nintendo depart from this style , there is a kind of inocent charm in the games that gives them a timeless feel , not to mention amazing gameplay , Sometimes i love ripping the heads off of people , or gunning down the inocent citizens of liberty city , other times though i just want to relax and enjoy a game with a type of magic and wonder akin to the works of the brothers Grim.

      The Reveloution will need two things if is to become a market leader,
      A Kudos factor with some maturity and A lot of grade A Games . Most importantly is the games , remembering the Gamecube launch , i remember being disapointed with the lack of options(some classic titles though like pikimin) and variety .Nintendo Will learn from there mistakes and i suspect the Reveloution will be both inovative , Cool , and have a menagre of titles at launch
      • Hopefully they will have alot of games.. this is the least that we can hope for myself being a long term "Gamer" I am one for the good games especially if they have innovative gameplay... I personally am more of a PC gamer recently but I still really love my Cube

        There are wonderful games on cube like Pikmin and Pikmin 2 they both gave a new twist on the old puzzle games like Lemmings... also even though it disappointed me Windwaker was amazing...

        Metroid was a wonderful ressurection of an old franchise and
      • The problem nintendo has is the fact that alot of people wish to Apear ""COOL"" and nintendo is yet to shake off its For-Children image .

        ...this is only a problem for a fairly narrow demographic, though. The folks who get hung up on "cool" tend to range from their teens to their early twenties; both before and after that, there's a whole slew of gamers who care more about whether or not a game is fun than whether or not you can beat hookers with a severed leg in time to Franz Ferdinand. Adults don't hav

        • I agreewith you to a certain extent as to how far this 'wannabe-cool' mentality persists, my parent could give a crap whether something is 'cool' or 'hip' but it seems the latest generation of gamers (of which I am a part) is caught up in the cool, kill stuff, be gangster logic from the very roots, making it not something they can get over, but a fundamental part of their videogame ethos. No matterhow many people out there you would bet would like Katamari Damacy, you would be a fool to bet it would out-do
        • You're spot on. The problem that Nintendo is having is that the majority of the market is still in the teenage 'gotta be cool' stage. I grew up with nintendo stuff, and I just recently got out of that age bracket. I never really fell into that mindset all that much, probably cause I couldn't have been cool no matter how hard I tried, but my younger brother did, and he's just starting to get out of it. When I took my gamecube home for christmas, he was blown away by super smash bros.

          So my hope is that as a
      • "the snes pad can still hold its own for 2d"
        A bit of a tangent, but can you recommend a better 2D pad than the standard SNES pad? I've been trying to get ahold of a couple in decent shape for emulator use, because I didn't think better controllers existed. Anybody have any recommendations about new controllers that are good for playing old snes games - preferably USB?

        • I personally use a dual shock, as I find that it fits the mold better as a general purpose PC controller when you factor in PSX emulators, and PS2 ports. But I agree with you. I think the SNES controller is still the best thing going for 2D games, and I would buy an adapter myself if I had the funds.
        • I use my xbox for gameboy color emulation, and that pad works well enough for me. If you disregard the two analog sticks and the black& white buttons, its the exact same layout as the snes controller (4 buttons, 2 shoulder, dpad, start select). I know liking the xbox controller (at least the s type) is something that is frowned upon, but it has grown on me in the past 6 months that ive had an xbox (so much so taht the dualshock 2, previously my favorite controller, seems small and fragile. I have big
        • I agree about the SNES controller. In fact, my brother got a 3rd party Gamecube controller that is basically a SNES controller, and I prefer it to the stock GC controller. The only problem is that the digital pad will not work with games that require the analog stick, and they don't sell a wireless version.

      • to my mind the N64 controler was one of the best controlers ever devised for 3D games

        The N64 controller was an abomination before the eyes of God and everyone involved with it's design will be consigned to the fiery pits of Hell. The SNES controller design IS magnificent(The only competition it has for the best 2D game controller is the Rev. B Saturn controller), but the N64 controller was just plain horrible. It was designed for some sort of mutant type of gamer with three hands. The Saturn 3D pad, th

  • Nintendo Cliches (Score:2, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward
    This article just highlights some of the cliches and falsehoods about Nintendo that have become common currency recently, particularly on slashdot.

    Fact is, Nintendo haven't been worth rooting for since the SNES generation. However, they're adept at "talking the talk" on innovation and gameplay, which gets them plaudits from the slash-horde. It's often said (usually as a strawman argument by Nintendo fanboys) that Nintendo games are only for kids. This isn't true. Anybody who's worked in a school at any poi
    • Nintendo are, like MS and Sony, a "big bad company". They get away, in the eyes of the slash-horde, with practices that other companies would be instantly damned for.

      And in the eyes of the non-slash-horde, mainly media and "gamers," Sony can do no worng.

      Remember when Nintendo said try using a dead pixel DS for a week or two, and if it is too annoying, then we'll replace it for you free of charge? Well, the gaming media and the "gamers" out there lambasted Nintendo for saying try it and see if it is t

      • Dont bother to argue the Grandparent post is a clear type A nintendo troll . probably also the same person spouting the other trolls on this story. Nintendo are far from perfect like every other company out there , but they do continue to inovate and evolve the line . Nintendo does not have the Cool factor anymore ,cool is important in a market dominated by 13-18 year old boys who like to play follow the leader

      • Re:Nintendo Cliches (Score:3, Informative)

        by dmayle ( 200765 ) *

        Remember when Nintendo said try using a dead pixel DS for a week or two, and if it is too annoying, then we'll replace it for you free of charge?

        Well, except for the fact that Nintendo never said that! [slashdot.org] Nintendo has, from the start, maintained a consumer-friendly policy with respect to their hardware. Sony has consistently tried to foist the problems off onto their users. (Like with the dying PS2's)

      • I'm bothering to reply to you instead of modding you down because there is so much wrong in that post -1 dosen't do you justice...

        The only reason I continue to support Sony is the variety of new IP - the sheer number of new IP's coming from that direction flatten any "innovation" coming from anywhere else. Let's face it - Zelda on a touch screen is still Zelda.

        There is a good reason why the PS2 was impossible to find this holiday season, while GC's wasted away on store shelves - and guess what? If you p

        • What has Sony made recently? I can only think of a few things that they own, which are all in at least their second incarnation at this point. (In some cases, up to 5 or 6).
          • Twisted Metal
          • ICO
          • Gran Turismo
          • Hot Shots Golf

          If that's what you call innovation, then I want no part of it. Each of those games is essentially the same bloody thing in each incarnation with new graphics. As for that slim PS2 you have, I want you to try something for me. Next time you want to play a game, leave the case on to

          • 1. I speak of the 3rd party development on the PS2. Katamari Damacy, Grand Theft Auto 3 (getting long in the tooth now..), Final Fantasy 11? Where's the 3rd party development on the GC? Oh, thats right - RE4. Where's the online support? I don't care if I can play with people in the same room, I want to play with friends at school across the country.

            2. I'll have to try that. Of course, since I've played games with the PS2 in my POCKET (showing off to some friends - stupid, but it was cool at the time...) I

            • 1) Third party support is perfectly fine on GCN. I myself own about 45 games for it. A few noteable 3rd party games would be Tales of Symphonia, Baten Kaitos, Resident Evil 4 (as you mentioned), Rebel Strike, and more. But as you say, a lot of the appeal of a GameCube is the first party stuff. I can get Star Fox, Donkey Konga, Paper Mario, SSBM, F-Zero, Mario Kart, and a whole host of others.

              2) I have a friend who works at EB Games. He knows well the faults of the slim PSP. I want you to go test
        • Good post, and I agree with you on most points, but as faras wacky games, I would say Sony even has Nintendo beat on that front as well if you're willing to import Japanese games (many of which are heavy on english and light on Japanese).
      • Most of the "gamers" you speak of are not true gamers, really.

        What a bunch of elitist bullshit. What exactly constitues a 'true gamer'? Is a 'true gamer' someone who spends 40+ hours a week gaming, blows through games in a (long) day (missing most of the content on the way - but hey, they 'won'), and then complains that games are 'too short', 'too easy', or 'too cliche'? Sounds a lot like my first roommate in college (1994) - he flunked out.

        What those of us who grew up in the Nintendo generation who
        • A true gamer is someone who plays just about ANYTHING. I know people who play only sports games or only RPGs. These are your regular gamers.

          In my entire life time, I might have met about 3 people who I consider true gamers. They'll play fps, sportsgames, RPGs, RT strategy, MMO etc.

    • I hope a lot of people could actually READ your post before modding it, but this is slashdot, so...

      Anyway I completely agree on the N-fanboy thing, however I disagree in some of your points: Mario64 and wind waker did had good elements of gameplay that made them fun. However it is true that most N games are ridden with gameplay cliches.

      "find X coins or items" to get X
      "save the princess"
      "go to alternate world by doing X" (which is suposed to be surprising.)
      "collect coins" Seriously is there any platform ga

    • Re:Nintendo Cliches (Score:3, Insightful)

      by StocDred ( 691816 )
      Anybody who's worked in a school at any point in the last five years will know that Nintendo games don't even register in the average kid's consciousness

      That is absolute nonsense. Kids today are well aware of Mario, Pokemon, Kirby, etc. Please attempt to prove your anecdotal statement. Your article troll is centered around your personal beliefs on what kinds of games you prefer. Which is fine, but not in any way indicative of industry trends of what kids are buying.

      Resident Evil 4 did a pretty good job

    • I own Zelda Wind Walker, Mario Sunshine and Mario Kart 64 and believe me, I consider them all a waste of money.

      Mario Kart 64 was not a waste of money. MK64 was a good kart racer with great multiplayer (4 player was harder if you had a small TV, but 2 player was great), impressive track design (Toad's Turnpike on reverse still is the craziest thing ever). MK64 was second only to Super Smash Bros and Goldeneye in terms of multiplayer.

      I wouldn't say that gameplay is old hat ever. Truely great concepts never

  • Gee. (Score:1, Troll)

    by schild ( 713993 )
    "If you're a gamer at heart (and have the heart of a gamer) root for Nintendo, as they seem to be more interested in gameplay innovation than making an uber-media-micropayment device. (HD-gaming be damned!) - Anonymous"

    Gosh. Rooting for the underdog, there's an original idea. Why would I ever want to root for Sony and Microsoft when all they ever did for me was bring over more original Japanese titles than I can shake a stick at. Damn you Phantom Dust, Katamari, Dai Senryaku VII (Yes, I know, only origina

  • innovation? (Score:1, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward
    "...root for Nintendo, as they seem to be more interested in gameplay innovation..."

    You're talking about a company who has more Mario titles and "collect the 'coin'" game-types than I care to count. Innovation is not a word that comes to mind when I think of Nintendo.
    • Then you're not thinking hard enough.

      If the only thing you can think of when you think Nintendo is Mario and other franchise characters then you obviously aren't in the know.

      Perhaps you shouldn't be thinking out loud.
    • Nintendo is NOT a very innovative company. Occasionaly, they'll come out with something new and different, but not very often. Nintendo is actually the complete opposite of innovative; they release the same game over and over on each system. Mario, Metroid, Zelda, Donkey Kong, etc. They're are a very conservative company that minimizes their potential risks, to maximize profits. But this is not a bad thing, as their games, while lacking in innovation, are flawlessly implemented. They make fun little t
    • Nintendo's new president actually seems driven to innovate new things. In the Keynote he mentioned he was the one that developed Super Smash Bros. and a few other games that were really different for Nintendo. NintenDogs and there crazy little puzzle game (with the blocks) seem like completely different games. I know the touch pad is kinda cheesy, but the games Nintendo is making are more for a totally new market, and not the normal gamer. From the development side the Keynote was not useful but from the fe
    • You're talking about a company who has more Mario titles and "collect the 'coin'" game-types than I care to count.

      And if you did care, you might want to check SONY's record on collect the games. 10x more than nintendo, just from looking at the local rental store.

      Innovation is not a word that comes to mind when I think of Nintendo.

      Thats because you're a blind fanboy.

      Nintendo has its problems. Lack of games, the relatively lackluster DS. (The games are shit, plain and simple, save for Mario DS)

      If i
  • I find this stuff incredibly interesting. The presentation there tries to reverse-engineer the concept of fun. In one of Terry Pratchett's recent books, the Auditors reverse-engineer everything to atomic level to attempt to gauge appeal, and it gets lost. Although Raph's talk is trying to break things down into atoms, there is also an insight from realising there's certainly more there than just atoms and associated verbs - the atoms in themselves are pointless. You can press a button, you can move a mouse,
    • > The presentation there tries to
      > reverse-engineer the concept of fun.

      I've been an admirer of Raph Koster for a long time, because he's one of a very few people (like Will Wright, Dr. Cat, and JC Lawrence) who are actively thinking about our assumptions related to games and gaming. Raph's particular angle at the moment is to examine what exactly we mean when we say a game is "fun", so the idea of breaking a game into its component atoms isn't so much an end in itself as a mechanism to identify the l

  • Root for Nintendo? (Score:2, Insightful)

    by rednalb ( 803581 )
    If you're a gamer at heart (and have the heart of a gamer) root for Nintendo, as they seem to be more interested in gameplay innovation than making an uber-media-micropayment device.

    Yeah, I'll root for Nintendo once they start supporting these "innovative" devices with more games. My DS has been collecting dust for quite a while. Each new game now doesn't bring anything new to the table. The touch screen concept has been driven to the ground already with just, what...12 games out for it? If the Revolu
    • Its only been out for a few weeks ;) your really need to relax , ussualy it takes about 6 months or so for the swing to begin .
      remember the PS2 lanuch line up or even the ps1 , they really did suck to high hell for the first few months .The xbox really had nothing other than Halo(which i always felt was a bit over-rated , still a great game but not 99/100 great 84 or so) or the shockingly underatted "Jet set radio future" for a great length of time .
      The only console with a great launch i can remember in t

  • Maybe because it was meant for DEVELOPERS (Score:3, Insightful)

    by AzraelKans ( 697974 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @11:41AM (#12076876) Homepage
    Theres a key difference between the keynotes, sony took the slide show aproach (which is quite useful, but boring) MS talked about the benefits of their new dashboard for _DEVELOPERS_ which is a lot, because the new xbox handles a bit like windows (so is complex but at least you get a lot of work done for you) and the "HD era" (whatever they think that means) they actually dropped some interesting marketting data that DEVELOPERS can use. And gave away their XNA beta (which is not a bad tool) and some HDTVs which is good because they want you to DEVELOP your games for it. (and yes they were trying to bribe us quite a bit.)

    Nintendo keynote was emotional and all but as a DEVELOPER I can tell you this, it was completely USELESS 2 hours show, out of of their new games.(?) "look my game has voice recognition" yeah it says so right here in the SDK you sold me "Look you can make music and a dog hear you!" thanks N I wouldnt have figured out how to use a mic for that "Look we can play mario kart wirelessly!" Yeah N is called wireless networking my laptop has it too. "CHECK OUT OUR NEW ZELDA GAME!" gee, thanks I would never find that one at www.gametrailers.com, then we get the "good games come from good gameplay not good graphics" speech, in case you are new to this, we get that speech each generation for the last 15 years if you have a copy of Nintendo Power magazine, you probably will find the speech right there.

    "Our new graphics chip is called HORYWOOD! and we have one called BROADWAY too! our new console is going to be VERY GOOD" thats the best piece of technical information Ive ever got! my game is going to be 200% better thanks to that!

    Seriously guys the reason why everybody liked N keynote better is because it was meant for E3 not GDC it was an ad show not a developers keynote.

    We needed specs on the new system, whats the situation with networking (probably the only valuable piece of info was that they support wi-fi now) and what benefits we get for working with them (they have already stated their console is not going to be pretty compatible so most games are going to be exclusive, what benefit do _I_ as a developer get with that?) also whats the deal with the DS and their new GBA? when is going to be released? how are they going to handle 2 handhelds, etc. etc. they didnt even care to mention it.

    Anyway for me the best of the show, was the "amy heckerling" design contest. not only you got to see some of the best game designers at work you actually discovered the obvious route is not always the best, and that fun ideas are always a good aproach, (at least good for a laugh and some impulse buys) that was pretty educational And the engine Mollineux showed off was just _sweet_

    • I wasn't there but you can tell that the poster was a N fanboi and an MS hater. If you read the article, the quote they pull is relatively obscure among all of the other quotes and is maybe the penultimate on on a very long list.

      Anyway, good post - if only for reminding us what the purpose of GDC is.

    • In the GDC schedule it was clearly noted that it was in the Game Design Track. So if you were looking for developement information(specs) you knew it wasn't going to be there. Also they had a nice write up about it on the GDC site http://www.gdconf.com/conference/keynotes.htm [gdconf.com].

      Clearly you had enough information to judge wether or not you want to go to this session. If you didn't want to go to this session you could of also gone to the Sponsored Session "HackU: Beat the Hackers at their own game". There we

  • GDC Feedback forms (Score:2, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward

    As the GDC yellowshirt volunteer who did the data entry for the paper evaluations they hand out for Burning Down the House and the Spore presentation, I can verify that this Best of List is quite likely correct.

    For Burning Down the House, numerous people wrote in 6's and circled those, writing in comments that their only complaint was that it didn't go on long enough. A handful of people dinged certain speakers point-wise. But for each person who saw fit to ding Laurel or Zimmerman, many more sang their pr

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